New tourist attraction or ‘shameless propaganda’? Bell community weighs in on ‘Big Blade’

Western Downs residents have had their say on Bell’s newest tourist attraction, a 67m 22 tonne wind turbine blade.

The Big Blade, a wind farm turbine blade, has been installed by Western Downs Regional Council at Bell, but not everyone is happy.

Bell has a brand new tourist attraction with the arrival of the ‘Big Blade’ but not everyone is happy with the new installation.

Sitting more than 67m long and weighing 22,339kg, the wind turbine blade has been installed between the Railway Shed and McPhee St and is believed to be one of only three of its kind in Australia.

Western Downs Regional Council spokeswoman for Tourism and Recreational Spaces Kaye Maguire said the Big Blade, donated by Coopers Gap Wind Farm, was expected to generate tourism while promoting the region’s clean energy sector.

“Most people will only ever see a wind turbine from a great distance; the ‘Big Blade’ offers visitors and locals alike a unique opportunity to get up close and understand the sheer height and scale of these machines,” Ms Maguire said.

“Installation is underway, and there’s lots of excitement around being able to stand next to the Big Blade and appreciate just how huge each blade actually is.

“Our region is building its reputation as destination of choice and this project adds a new dimension to the unique experiences we have on offer here in the Western Downs.

“This attraction is believed to be one of only three of its kind in Australia.”

In a Dalby Herald Facebook post asking ‘Is a wind turbine blade the best way to promote tourism in Bell’ the results were overwhelmingly no.

The post received 82 no votes and 11 yes votes alongside several laughing reacts.

Of the 42 comments the post received, majority critiqued the decision.

A similar response occurred on the Chinchilla News post with 40 no votes and 0 yes votes as well as angry and laughing reacts.

Waste of money

A number of commenters suggested the money could’ve been better spent elsewhere.

“It’s amazing to see the waste of time, money and effort on something that serves very little purpose to the community when we have families struggling to make end’s meet, living in tents or worse. Priorities of the privileged,” Matt Abbott wrote.

“No it is not a good plan at all. They could have used the money to get the grain silos painted like a lot of other towns do and that would be something that people would go to see,” Carmel McMullen wrote.

Brendan Furner agreed.

“Total waste of money.”

Why a blade?

Other commenters suggested that a wind turbine blade wasn't the best choice for a tourist attraction with many saying a Bell would’ve been more appropriate.

“A statue of Joshua Thomas Bell would have been better and the parkland named after him,” Glenn Caldwell wrote.

“Don’t think the tourists will be flocking to Bell to see that,” Janenne Slattery wrote

“Should have had a big brass bell,’ Diana Yates

“Could have thought of something nicer than a ‘blade’ for a tourist attraction for Bell,” Debra Golding wrote.

“With a town name like Bell, surely you’d have a big … bell,” Jonelle Nielsen wrote.

Tonka Alice agreed.

“It's a joke. A lovely town called BELL gets a dirty old fibreglass stick,” she wrote.

Shameful propaganda

Meanwhile some commenters called the attraction “shameful propaganda” and called into question the decision to place it in front of the town’s mural.

“How anyone can think they’re environmentally friendly is beyond me let alone all the other negative aspects of them and the impact on those around them,” Lauren Magann wrote.

“I stopped at Bell and went to the railway museum and track. That is far more noteworthy than the creeping spread of renewable energy over the landscapes,” Mal Irwin wrote.

“Shameful propaganda, how embarrassing. So sorry Bell,” Michelle Anderson wrote.

“You can no longer see the mural on the shed as you approach Bell now. What a shame as it looked so nice. The blade completely blocks the mural,” June Wenning wrote.

Good for the community

Despite the negative onslaught there were a few people who believed the new attraction would be good for Bell.

“If it brings people to town, it’s a winner, seeing one up close you get a real feel of the size. Much bigger than the windmills of yesteryears,” Barbara Holtham wrote.

“Great idea. They are huge, very good for Bell,” Timothy Holcombe wrote.

“Well there is nothing else there,” Mark Fox wrote